Has anyone noticed the big increases in caravan park fees. Was looking at Wiki Camp looking for a park to stay at near the boarder, so that I would be ready to head into QLD when it opens. Now, I'm not particularly fussy, just as long as its got a power outlet and water.
I couldn't find anything suitable much under $40 a night. There are some cheaper, but the reviews warn against them in a lot of cases. I think Lightning ridge would be my best bet.
Silly me. I had visions of going up along the coast, something I haven't done in a while Oh well. Maybe I'll wait to go until summer and just stay at free camps.
Seems like $20 is a thing of the past.
TheHeaths said
11:27 AM Jun 10, 2020
Yes MSG, unfortunately parks on the coast are dear in most cases.
We went from SA to Cooktown and then west this time last year, and coastal parks were all over $30, except a lovely little one in Home Hill on the highway that was $18 per night. Basic, but lady owner was lovely.
Other than that, Showgrounds and donation parks a little inland may need to be the go. We did enjoy the Opal CP at Lightning Ridge last year, but I dont think it was cheap. I am certain you are right about $20 being a thing of the past mostly. Our accomodation for 4 months, with 10% low cost/no cost camps averaged in excess of $30 per night along coast from Hervey Bay to Cooktown, then Atherton Tablelands across to Karumba and Burketown, and home via Mt Isa and Birdsville.
Have a good trip.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 11:28:32 AM
2_Paws_Up said
11:50 AM Jun 10, 2020
We tried to stay at showgrounds or smaller (privately owned) parks inland where we could. They tended to be basic (often no camp kitchen) but they did the job, so it was all good.
Warren-Pat_01 said
03:18 PM Jun 10, 2020
In some ways I don't blame the park increases as they've been closed down for ages with little coming in to pay the usual maintenance, Government/Council fees & taxes that never reduce.
msg said
05:50 PM Jun 10, 2020
Warren,
Putting up your prices to make up for lost revenue is a very bad business model. What would you say if the shops put up the price of their stock by 25%? Whilst their revenue may have reduced, so too did a lot of their expenses. Thus making not a lot of difference to their net profit. and they were probably propped up by the government under some subsidy or other. or maybe they were insured for loss of profits.
However, that said, I think these price increases were in place before Covid. Doesn't help that from now on, the customer base has probably changed from the nomads to a more family type demographic.
Radar said
07:31 PM Jun 10, 2020
msg wrote:
Hi E1,
Has anyone noticed the big increases in caravan park fees. Was looking at Wiki Camp looking for a park to stay at near the boarder, so that I would be ready to head into QLD when it opens. Now, I'm not particularly fussy, just as long as its got a power outlet and water.
I couldn't find anything suitable much under $40 a night. There are some cheaper, but the reviews warn against them in a lot of cases. I think Lightning ridge would be my best bet.
Silly me. I had visions of going up along the coast, something I haven't done in a while Oh well. Maybe I'll wait to go until summer and just stay at free camps.
Seems like $20 is a thing of the past.
Earlier this year I wanted sometime on the going a little ways down the coast from Brisbane, spent a beautiful week at Iluka, a couple of cheapies at Grafton, then 5 awesome nights catching up with a very exchausted Volunteer Bush Firemen at Taylors Arm. Our next pleasent week at Stuarts Point before heading to New England Area when the weather turned to rain.
$38 @ night at Iluka, $10 @ night Grafton, $5 @ night Taylors Arm, Sturats Point $34 @ night on weekly rate. By mix and matching it was not to bad over all.
To us it was truly a great 3 weeks. Get away from the coast and we travel more economically but no salt air.
Gundog said
05:09 PM Jun 11, 2020
Before Covid19 became an overrated issue, we stayed at Manildra NSW under $20pn, Gulargambone NSW stayed a week under $30pn, Dirranbandi QLD 2 nights under $50, Roma QLD 4 nights under $80, we had planned to stay at 3 other locations between Roma and Mackay phone bookings for multi days were all under $25 a night, our current location in the Whitsundays is well under $30pn but then we are regular patrons and stay 3 or 4th months.
msg said
09:54 PM Jun 11, 2020
Like you Gundog, Gulargambone, is one of my favourites. From then on I usually free camp. The last three years I have gone that way to Mount Isa. Just thought I'd like to try something different.
Santa said
10:20 AM Jun 12, 2020
Gundog wrote:
Before Covid19 became an overrated issue,
Overrated issue eh, try telling that to the families and friends of the 432000 who have died world wide, I somehow doubt they would think it overrated.
Overrated issue eh, try telling that to the families and friends of the 432000 who have died world wide, I somehow doubt they would think it overrated.
It may seem a bit harsh but frankly I dont care one iota about whats happened with corona virus outside of Australia.
This thread is about CP costs
Santa said
11:19 AM Jun 12, 2020
Gundog wrote:
It may seem a bit harsh but frankly I dont care one iota about whats happened with corona virus outside of Australia.
That's very obvious.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:47 PM Jun 12, 2020
I guess we'll find out what prices are as we head SOUTH! Going to Toowoomba in a week's time - only for family reasons otherwise we'd stay here in the north enjoying our lovely winter.
Stopping at Capella on the first night, Toowoomba the next. Might head out Winton way on the way back to find some birds.
msg, I doubt whether local parks are getting much relief around here with the current lock down - the TCC were "generous" last year when they offered residents affected by the floods in Feb 2019 three months extra to pay their rates! There weren't any reductions either. While most houses have been rebuilt, some people are still waiting for their insurance to come good!
Fozalinko said
09:50 AM Jun 13, 2020
There is a site called You Camp, very basic camping on farms a little inland mostly but worth a peruse Regards Chris
msg said
03:49 PM Jun 13, 2020
Unfortunately Chris a lot of the You Camp places are quite expensive due in part they have to recover the booking costs from You Camp. Also quiet often, they don't offer any facilities any better than a free camp.
Going north I was hoping to stay overnights at cheap powered sites to run the heater as it is going to take me at least two weeks to get to Mt Isa.
PeterX said
09:11 AM Jul 1, 2020
re ..... a lot of the You Camp places are quite expensive ...
I wonder if such places could add themselves to wikicamps.?
I assume this would be free?, and allow them to offer lower charges ?
Hi E1,
Has anyone noticed the big increases in caravan park fees. Was looking at Wiki Camp looking for a park to stay at near the boarder, so that I would be ready to head into QLD when it opens. Now, I'm not particularly fussy, just as long as its got a power outlet and water.
I couldn't find anything suitable much under $40 a night. There are some cheaper, but the reviews warn against them in a lot of cases. I think Lightning ridge would be my best bet.
Silly me. I had visions of going up along the coast, something I haven't done in a while Oh well. Maybe I'll wait to go until summer and just stay at free camps.
Seems like $20 is a thing of the past.
Yes MSG, unfortunately parks on the coast are dear in most cases.
We went from SA to Cooktown and then west this time last year, and coastal parks were all over $30, except a lovely little one in Home Hill on the highway that was $18 per night. Basic, but lady owner was lovely.
Other than that, Showgrounds and donation parks a little inland may need to be the go. We did enjoy the Opal CP at Lightning Ridge last year, but I dont think it was cheap. I am certain you are right about $20 being a thing of the past mostly. Our accomodation for 4 months, with 10% low cost/no cost camps averaged in excess of $30 per night along coast from Hervey Bay to Cooktown, then Atherton Tablelands across to Karumba and Burketown, and home via Mt Isa and Birdsville.
Have a good trip.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 10th of June 2020 11:28:32 AM
Putting up your prices to make up for lost revenue is a very bad business model. What would you say if the shops put up the price of their stock by 25%? Whilst their revenue may have reduced, so too did a lot of their expenses. Thus making not a lot of difference to their net profit. and they were probably propped up by the government under some subsidy or other. or maybe they were insured for loss of profits.
However, that said, I think these price increases were in place before Covid. Doesn't help that from now on, the customer base has probably changed from the nomads to a more family type demographic.
Earlier this year I wanted sometime on the going a little ways down the coast from Brisbane, spent a beautiful week at Iluka, a couple of cheapies at Grafton, then 5 awesome nights catching up with a very exchausted Volunteer Bush Firemen at Taylors Arm. Our next pleasent week at Stuarts Point before heading to New England Area when the weather turned to rain.
$38 @ night at Iluka, $10 @ night Grafton, $5 @ night Taylors Arm, Sturats Point $34 @ night on weekly rate. By mix and matching it was not to bad over all.
To us it was truly a great 3 weeks. Get away from the coast and we travel more economically but no salt air.
Overrated issue eh, try telling that to the families and friends of the 432000 who have died world wide, I somehow doubt they would think it overrated.
Coronavirus Death Toll
423,082 people have died so far from the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as of June 12, 2020, 00:14 GMT.
There are currently 7,583,690 confirmed cases in 213 countries and territories . The fatality rate is still being assessed.
It may seem a bit harsh but frankly I dont care one iota about whats happened with corona virus outside of Australia.
This thread is about CP costs
That's very obvious.
Stopping at Capella on the first night, Toowoomba the next. Might head out Winton way on the way back to find some birds.
msg, I doubt whether local parks are getting much relief around here with the current lock down - the TCC were "generous" last year when they offered residents affected by the floods in Feb 2019 three months extra to pay their rates! There weren't any reductions either. While most houses have been rebuilt, some people are still waiting for their insurance to come good!
There is a site called You Camp, very basic camping on farms a little inland mostly but worth a peruse Regards Chris
Going north I was hoping to stay overnights at cheap powered sites to run the heater as it is going to take me at least two weeks to get to Mt Isa.
I wonder if such places could add themselves to wikicamps.?
I assume this would be free?, and allow them to offer lower charges ?